Early voting off to good start in Henderson County

From staff reports

Published: Friday, October 26, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 9:48 p.m.

A week after early voting began, roughly 13,800 Henderson County residents have cast their ballots for the Nov. 6th election. That turnout puts the county 17th of the state’s 100 counties in votes cast thus far.

“Things are going smoothly,” said county Elections Director Beverly Cunningham. “We are seeing a good turnout. The great weather has helped and it looks like that’s going to continue, so we hope more people will come out and vote early to reduce the burden on Election Day.”

Statewide, 991,788 voters had taken advantage of early voting as of Thursday, an increase of 24 percent over this time in 2008. Compared to the last presidential election, roughly 11 percent more Henderson County residents have voted already.

Almost 90 percent of early voters in North Carolina did so one-stop, while the balance mailed in their absentee ballots. Henderson County wasn’t much different, with 85 percent voting one-stop.

In Henderson County, 46 percent of early voters identified themselves at Republicans, 30 percent were unaffiliated and 23 percent were Democrats. Twenty-six voters identified themselves as Libertarians. Statewide, Democrats make up half of all early voters, with Republicans at 30 percent, unaffiliateds at 19 percent and Libertarians at .18 percent.

The race between Republican Mark Meadows and Democrat Hayden Rogers seems to be drawing voters out to the polls early. More than 86,858 voters in the 11th Congressional District have already voted, the third highest of any congressional district in the state.

Early voting is available for citizens until Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Henderson County Board of Elections office at 75 E. Central St., the Etowah Library at 101 Brickyard Road, Flat Rock Village Hall at 110 Village Center Drive and Fletcher Library at 120 Library Road.

<p>A week after early voting began, roughly 13,800 Henderson County residents have cast their ballots for the Nov. 6th election. That turnout puts the county 17th of the state's 100 counties in votes cast thus far. </p><p>“Things are going smoothly,” said county Elections Director Beverly Cunningham. “We are seeing a good turnout. The great weather has helped and it looks like that's going to continue, so we hope more people will come out and vote early to reduce the burden on Election Day.”</p><p>Statewide, 991,788 voters had taken advantage of early voting as of Thursday, an increase of 24 percent over this time in 2008. Compared to the last presidential election, roughly 11 percent more Henderson County residents have voted already.</p><p>Almost 90 percent of early voters in North Carolina did so one-stop, while the balance mailed in their absentee ballots. Henderson County wasn't much different, with 85 percent voting one-stop.</p><p>In Henderson County, 46 percent of early voters identified themselves at Republicans, 30 percent were unaffiliated and 23 percent were Democrats. Twenty-six voters identified themselves as Libertarians. Statewide, Democrats make up half of all early voters, with Republicans at 30 percent, unaffiliateds at 19 percent and Libertarians at .18 percent.</p><p>The race between Republican Mark Meadows and Democrat Hayden Rogers seems to be drawing voters out to the polls early. More than 86,858 voters in the 11th Congressional District have already voted, the third highest of any congressional district in the state.</p><p>Early voting is available for citizens until Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Henderson County Board of Elections office at 75 E. Central St., the Etowah Library at 101 Brickyard Road, Flat Rock Village Hall at 110 Village Center Drive and Fletcher Library at 120 Library Road. </p><p>For hours or more information, call 828-697-4970.</p>